Balance Test Tips

 
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 Please follow these guidelines to get an accurate balance score:

  • Place the scale on a hard, even floor. The scale is not designed to be used on carpet or on an uneven tile floor. All 4 feet of the scale need to be touching the floor - the scale should not wobble when pushed down on.

  • Place the scale is a distraction-free area, ideally away from windows.

  • Keep your whole body completely still. Don’t move at all, even to scratch an itch.

  • Stand on the scale with your feet placed underneath your hips. A wide or too narrow stance will skew the score.

  • Keep your eyes focused straight ahead. Don’t look down or look around during the test. Use the ZIBRIO BalanceCoach App countdown or a poster as a focal point.

  • Don’t talk or chew gum.

  • You can keep your shoes on for the balance test.

Why does my balance score vary?

 There are three reasons why two scores in the same day might be different. 

  1. Scale: Has the scale been moved?  Was it on a hard, level surface for both tests?

  2. Testing Environment: The Stability Scale is a highly sensitive, precision instrument that can detect the smallest of imbalances.  Being in a noisy environment, having someone talking to you or near you, and having movement in your field of vision can affect your balance and result in a different score. 

  3. You: Throughout the day your body goes through many changes.  Diet, hydration, medications, exercises, fatigue, mood, pain, etc can have an effect (you may have already experienced changes in weight during the day). You might like to try testing yourself before and after exercise: 

·     Did your score go up after exercise? 

That might be because you activated your neural system, exciting your balance pathways for better balance

·     Did your score go down after the exercise? 

That might be because you fatigued your body, especially in the legs.  That jelly-leg feeling from a hard workout is real, and it affects your balance.  If your score drops with exercise, give yourself a pat on the back for a good workout session, but, be good to your body so it can recover fully.  

Remember that many things can affect your balance. Use the balance profile in the ZIBRIO BalanceCoach App for more information about what affects your balance.

 
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Need more help understanding your score? Take our questionnaire here.